Hastings Online Times abides by the IMPRESS press regulation scheme – that means that we adhere to the IMPRESS Standards Code. A reader may bring a complaint against us if they believe we have breached this code.

Please note that we can only deal with your complaint if you are:

• personally and directly affected by an alleged breach of the Code

• a representative group affected by an alleged breach of the Code, where there is public interest in your complaint

• a third party seeking to ensure accuracy of published information.

Initially any complaint must be made to the Complaints Editor at Hastings Online Times by email or letter as follows:

Please provide full contact details in your correspondence, including full name, organisation (if applicable), address, telephone and email, as well as full details of the complaint, the article title and date and if possible the URL. Reference should be made to the section(s) of the IMPRESS Standards Code which the complainant believes have been breached.

We will acknowledge your complaint by e-mail or in writing within 7 calendar days and will normally respond to your complaint with a final decision letter within 21 calendar days. If we uphold your complaint, we will tell you what remedial actions we have taken.

If you are not satisfied with the final response to your complaint, or if you do not hear from us within 21 calendar days of submitting your complaint, then you can refer your complaint to IMPRESS at the address below.

Details of how IMPRESS handles complaints, and its powers for requiring remedial action by a publisher found to have breached the Standards Code, can be found in an FAQ on their website.